Kevin Nolan upbeat about Leyton Orient player-manager role
Last updated on .From the section Football
Kevin Nolan believes he will be able to be a success at Leyton Orient after being appointed as player-manager of the League Two club.
The 33-year-old former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham midfielder has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the east London side.
"I put a lot of pressure on myself but I always did that as a player," he told BBC Radio London.
"If I keep doing what I believe in, I think I can be successful."
Nolan eyes smooth transition
Nolan has been without a club since leaving the Hammers in August, but spent two months training with Orient earlier this season.
The uncapped Englishman has made 522 league appearances over the course of his career and says he will be a "hands-on" manager who will aim to play "an attacking, forward-thinking" game.
"I have got a lot to learn and I hope it will be a smooth transition into management," he added.
"Being a captain of three Premier League clubs, you take a lot of responsibility.
"Some managers like the captain to manage the dressing room and that has helped."
'Nothing scares me'
Nolan becomes the sixth man to take charge of Orient since Francesco Becchetti took over in 2014.
Ian Hendon was dismissed as head coach on Monday following seven months in charge at the Matchroom Stadium, which made him the longest-serving coach under the Italian businessman.
"I don't really look at what has happened in the past," Nolan said. "There is nothing that scares me.
"I look at the positives and I'm with a good group of lads who should be around the play-offs at least. I have a good support system.
"I am positive and confident and hopefully that will shine through with my team."
An influence on the pitch
Nolan, who will start studying for his Uefa A licence soon, is lacking match fitness but expects to be playing for the O's, who sit 11th in League Two, in the coming weeks.
He thinks will be able to cope with the role of a player-manager despite its increasing rarity in the modern era.
"I have still got a lot to offer," he said.
"It's nice I will be able to do something on the pitch, whether it is going on to organise the team or nick a goal.
"Hopefully I can be a successful player-manager and break the mould of everyone who has a bad opinion of it. Having Andy Hessenthaler here as a coach is a massive boost because he has done it before."
